If I should stay, I would only be in your way
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way

And I will always love you
I will always love you
You, my darling you, hm

Bittersweet memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So, goodbye
Please, don't cry
We both know I'm not what you, you need

And I will always love you
I will always love you, you

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish to you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love

And I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I, I will always love you

You, darling, I love you
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you


Lyrics submitted by walking-catastrophe

I Will Always Love You Lyrics as written by Dolly Parton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

I Will Always Love You song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

50 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment

    I love this song. Sometimes I get the urge to send it to my boyfriend. I don't feel good enough for him. I'm overcoming a major drug addiction, and he's always been totally clean. He deserves so much better. I know he loves me, but sometimes love just isn't enough...

    nietzsche_66on June 01, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    this song is not only about letting go of someone who you love and always love, but its about not wanting to let go. its about letting that person know how special they are and how they are unlike anyone else and no one will be loved as much as that person was. its about having to let go of true love, young love, first love. this is dedicated to russell. darling, ill always love you.

    helenecon February 13, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song brings back so many memories. It was my boyfriends and mine favorite song. I remember him telling me "it is sooo beatiful." Now everytime I hear that song, it makes me cry. He got killed in a car wreck. So everytime I hear that song, I cry and think of him.

    terideanon June 16, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song will forever remind me of my true love. There were so many obstacles that we could not overcome to be together. I remember sitting in the restaurant looking at him thinking, it simply should not be this difficult if we are meant to be together. But sometimes, it's not so straight down the line and love is not enough. This is one of the saddest, break-up songs ever.

    LaurelGon October 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Beautiful song. Whitney had the voice of an angel until drugs ruined it. This song is her best or at least one of her best. It's gorgeous. To the special woman who has held my heart for a very very long time, this is for you. Yesterday's scary post showed that nothing has changed, unfortunately, and never will. But I shall take to the grave with me a love I've never been able to expain to even myself. I guess sometimes only God knows the reasons why. And nobody said life was fair; sometimes we simply don't get what we want and we have to continue to live. Just glad I know I gave it my best shot. WONDERFUL song.

    cumonbabylitemyfireon December 27, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song reminds me of what my boyfriend once said to me. He always thought I could do better than him, then he would try to leave me, and I remember I would let him walk away while he says, "I will always love you," but the problem was when he did that he ended up coming back, wanting to work it out, then he got worried and tried to walk away again like this song, but I stopped him from walking away because I knew that I would find no other like him. That is how I relate to this song, but I kinda disagree with it, if you are leaving someone and they don't want you to and if you really don't want to, you shouldn't leave, even if you do feel it is for their own good. It is their life to, and I know this because I have been that person that the artist is singing to.

    Lovealways2012on May 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this was one of my all time favorites by her before she turned into a drugie

    FeMaLe_RaP_LoVeRon May 21, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the first time i,m gonna post a comment,so here goes,,whitney,,in my book,will be one of the best voices,,,ever, and its a shame that she is falling for drugaddiction.like any other addiction. its not an easy task to overcome.its contradictory,, u need help from others to continue,,but they cant help you, if u dont help yourself.despite all of this,,i admire her talent.now,this message goes to nietzche.,,if the man is still there for you ,,its a mistake, that u let him go.in situations like those is where u get to see what they are made of.its real easy to love someone whos fine, dandy doesnt have problems. if hes still there for you,my humble opinion is to stay with him. it may not be my business.but,,i used to be with someone that,,thought the same u did..that i was "too good" for her,she said she has done things in her past which she wasnt proud of,or that i needed someone "cleaner".i still have contact with her, as friends..but inside i wish she game me a chance.some of us guys are able to give it our all,like your boyfriend for example,,there isnt much of those left.so,,just think about,ok? :) well i think i changed the topic a little bit, have i? i just enjoy in some way to try to help out,,typical boricua behavior ;) . anyway. i,m signing off, and i hope the folks at SM dont cancel my membership like last time

    Lirycal Forajidoon June 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I can relate to this song so much. I adore my boyfriend and I hope he never leaves. If he does, it will be very, very difficult, but I hope him all the best. This is a simple but great song.

    AThousandMoonson July 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    awesome song...i'm not really down with school dances but when they play this and i look into my girlfriends eyes...its amazing

    frtyoz04on April 16, 2003   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.